It's the ride of a lifetime

Tom Cary

LEWIS Hamilton had a distant look and at one point the words seemed to catch in his throat. Asked to recall his fondest memories from half a lifetime with McLaren, Hamilton paused briefly and then began reeling them off, accelerating as if in a formula one car.

''There are quite a few in the space of 15 years,'' he warned, ''but the ones that really, really stick out are … meeting Ron Dennis when I was 10, when I signed when I was 13, when he told me on the grid in Monza that he was going to give me a chance, when I signed that year, my training periods in the gym and the pool, working like crazy back at the factory, working with the engineers, being on the podium at my first grand prix, losing the world championship in 2007 - it's not one I want to remember; it's a tough one - and then winning the next year, the wins since then, and the last grand prix in Austin, Texas.''

Hamilton at McLaren, a journey that will end on Monday, is some story. It has been the subject of many books and television programs.

The boy from the broken family in Stevenage, the grandson of West Indian immigrants, the karting prodigy who won a contract with McLaren at the age of 13, the youngest world champion in the history of formula one until Sebastian Vettel won his first title.

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The road has run less smoothly since those heady days. There have been controversies; some major, some minor, some blown out of proportion.

Hamilton's career has looked at times in danger of turning into a cautionary tale as he struggled to free himself from the shackles of his father, Anthony, and from McLaren's executive chairman, Dennis. He has made mistakes, lashed out, switched managers, consorted with rappers and film stars, worked with charitable foundations. Rarely has there been a dull moment.

What has never been in doubt is Hamilton's talent; the pure, electrifying pace that persuaded McLaren to snap him up all those years ago. They will miss that speed. Whatever Dennis now says about their relationship being solid as a rock, he was devastated by Hamilton's decision to jump ship to Mercedes.

Will Hamilton miss McLaren? He claims to have no regrets, aside from the lack of silverware in his trophy cabinet.

''Should I have had more championships?'' he said. ''Absolutely. I feel like I drove really well in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 I was ready to do the same [but the car was not competitive]; 2010 was not bad, 2011 was not good. I don't feel I deserved to win that year as well.

''This year I feel like I've had the potential to win - and I'm pretty sure I'll feel the same next year.''

Mercedes will reap the benefit, although whether they can take full advantage is a moot point. The Brackley team have failed to win a point in the five races since Hamilton dropped his bombshell and there are few changes to the cars for next year.

Jenson Button was in no doubt this week that his teammate was taking a huge risk, virtually writing Hamilton off as a threat next term. ''I'm definitely going to be more up against him here than I will be when he is at his new team,'' he said.

Hamilton senior, back in his son's life and back in the McLaren garage, begged to differ. ''I'm optimistic for next year,'' he said. ''Lewis has been winning races every year since he was eight years old in karts.''

In Texas last weekend the 27 year-old caused, for him, a minor stir by electing to stencil the letters H.A.M on the back of his helmet. It stands for 'Hard as a m-----------'. It was later removed ''by mutual consent'' when McLaren's PR operation swung into action. Another lesson learned.

The message on Hamilton's helmet this weekend is simpler and elegant. Against the familiar yellow backdrop - the colour worn by his hero Ayrton Senna - are three words: ''Thank you McLaren.'' It has been some ride.